Could Ds be registered with this school? Hopefully someone can reassure me.

[HomeEdHomefuls]

Dh and I applied for primary school for our ds. We put 2 choices down, with the intention of home educating if we didn't get either.

We didn't, so are all set to start home educating in September (ds is 5 in February).

We got offered a completely different school, didn't accept the place in any way, and the deadline for accepting it passed. We thought this is what we were meant to do. I still think this is the case, but am now doubting whether I was supposed to do anything else.

Last week, we got a letter addressed to "The Parents / Guardian of X".

It was a welcome pack inviting us to attend their open day, in July, with uniform list etc. It does say in big red print YOU MUST BRING YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

I e-mailed the Local Education Authority, a week ago to explain my position. I didn't mention home ed, just said we didn't want the place, and that I thought we were on the waiting list for the 2 other schools. They automatically put you on the waiting lists if you don't get a school you ranked. They have not replied.

Ds couldn't be officially registered at this school, could he??

Sorry this is a bit long. I hope somebody can help.

I thought you had to take and accept a place to stay on a waiting list? Otherwise you’ve withdrawn your child from education. I’d advise speaking to a person at your council.

Ring them and ask?

But yes, if the school have sent you a welcome pack then they’ve been given your details by the council so they are expecting him in September.

It depends on your area. In ours you automatically accept the place unless you contact them and refuse it. (We’ve just picked DS up from his settling in session at school. I have no contact with either school or LA since offers day but they were expecting him).
You also don’t go on a waiting list unless you ask to be put on it. I think you need to phone and check.

He isn't registered there yet. By law he cannot be registered if you have not accepted the place, and at any rate cannot be registered until the first day he was expected to attend, presumably this coming September. Just tell them that you don't want the place.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/564599/school_attendance.pdf :
"Schools must enter pupils on the admission register and attendance register from the beginning of the first day on which the school has agreed, or been notified, that the pupil will attend the school. For most pupils the expected first day of attendance is the first day of the school year"

However, the fact that this school thinks your son is coming might indicate that the LA hasn't got him on the waiting lists, so you should check with them about that.

Thanks, everyone.

I managed to speak to someone before they closed for the day.

I know ds is on the waiting lists for the other 2 schools as it says so when I login to their website with my parent I.D. (This all changes on Friday anyway, as you have to re-register your interest, for some reason).

The lady on the phone said the email I sent them is enough, and ds definitely won't be registered with the school .

Ds is going to be home educated now.

Thanks for helping me.